While I was out of my office, away on business as they say, it appears that I missed the arrival of a couple of new releases from the always reliable Achaval Ferrer.  Yes, I know that most people would not qualify tasting multiple vintages of delicious Agostino Pavia & Figli Barbera d’Asti and eating fresh porcini risotto “work".  Anyway, I’m suffering a slight case of Europe withdrawal now that I’m back to having Wendy’s for lunch instead of Stinco di Vitello (sigh!).  It’s admittedly going to be a little hard to stop thinking about that amazing Alberello Imports/Northern Italy trip every ten minutes or so, especially when I see any bottle of importer Nadia Galati’s wines.  BTW, there are other postings from my travel companions to keep inquiring readers abreast of every incredible meal, wine, vineyard, town, person (and/or persons) and experiences.  I plan on eventually adding a few stories of my own once I get around to finally cataloging the immense backlog of pictures and video I took (I think I broke a record this time for GB’s of data recorded).

Well you can’t get farther away from Piedmont than Argentina.  Nonetheless, the 2011 vintage of both Achaval Ferrer Malbec Mendoza and Achaval Ferrer Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza ($19.99 each) are terrific additions to our burgeoning South American portfolio.  Last year, founders and namesakes Santiago Achaval and Manuel Ferrer sold a controlling interest in their iconic Mendoza winery to drinks giant SPI Group.  However, with talented Italian winemaker Roberto Cipresso still at helm, the end results assuredly remain the same: impeccably well-made varietal expressions of Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley fruit.  Fans of fleshy, balanced, richly black-fruited yet complex wines should seek them out at your local ABCFWS!

Jim Greeley, Wine Supervisor, SW Florida